Thousands of Britons apply to become French citizens

Britons who have lived in France for more than five years can become citizensGETTY IMAGES

The number of Britons acquiring a French passport has risen fivefold since the vote to leave the European Union. A total of 1,518 Britons became French citizens last year, compared with 320 in 2015 and 439 the year before.

There is little evidence that the flow is stopping, with 3,173 Britons applying to become French in 2017. In 2015, before the EU referendum, there were 386 applications, and in 2016, when the Brexit vote was held, there were 1,363.

Britons acquiring French citizenship become dual nationals and are allowed to keep their British passports.

About 200,000 Britons are believed to have their main home in France, and many have been there for more than five years, making them eligible for French nationality.

Concerns that they…

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